Food is not only vital to good health by providing our bodies with vitamins and nutrients, it is a source of joy and a good opportunity to share love. You are truly what you eat. If you eat overprocessed grains, meat products injected with hormones and antibiotics or fruits and vegetables laced with pesticides, your body will suffer. You might feel tired, sluggish, have frequent headaches, or have trouble sleeping. These symtoms are subtle so we tend to ignore them. It is only when we start to suffer more — such as poor bowel movement, heartburn, allergies— that we might pay some attention to our eating.
Each time you have a meal you have a choice. You can either consume "empty calories" or you can nourish your body with healthful foods. I strongly believe that by educating ourselves we can make better food choices without compromising taste. As you eat fewer processed, salty and fried foods your taste buds will experience more subltle flavors and appreciate all the wonderfull foods that are available in abundant variety.
Conscious eating means taking a moment to consider what you are about to eat and how that food will affect your body and your spirit. It is about taking a moment to honor and appreciate the variety, colors, flavors and nourishment that is there before you. It is about showing that you care about you and your family's well being enough to provide the best food possible.
That is why cooking for ourselves is a good opportunity to control the quality of our meals. You can also infuse the meals with your loving attention. If you don't have the time to cook, you can take the time to read labels and choose with care. Thankfully, there are many great products available even in regular grocery stores.
I don't believe there is one diet or one way of eating that is right for everyone. You need to listen to your body. It will tell you which foods make you feel good and which foods make you feel lousy.
Learning to nourish yourself is a journey that takes time and attention. It is probably the most important knowledge you can learn. Have a great journey! Happy eating!
